Reducing environmental radon

ABSTRACT

A method is presented for collecting and removing radon from a confined area, a storage box or articles of clothing. The method includes collecting radon from the confined area or around a storage box via at least one collector, connecting each of a plurality of radon adsorbers to a corresponding power supply or power source such as a battery, capacitor, fuel cell, etc. diverting, via a plurality of valves, the collected radon or radon daughters through one or more of the plurality of radon adsorbers, and receiving, via a plurality of radon storage units, radon or radon daughters held by the plurality of radon adsorbers for a predetermined period of time.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a system and method forremoving radon from the environment.

Description of the Related Art

Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive noble gas. It has longbeen recognized that exposure to radon gas (and radon gas “daughters”that occur as a result of radon gas decay) can pose a significant healthhazard. Although testing for radon gas has been performed for manyyears, until recently, concern over exposure to radon gas was primarilyassociated with workers in the uranium mining industry or others whosework brought them in contact with uranium ore. In recent years, it hasbeen recognized that radon gas can seep out of the ground throughbuilding foundations and can accumulate inside buildings. When radon gasaccumulates in a human environment, it can be inhaled, thereby exposingthe lungs to radioactivity.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a system is provided for collectingand removing radon from a confined area. The system includes at leastone collector for collecting radon from the confined area, a pluralityof radon adsorbers each connected to a corresponding power supply, aplurality of valves for diverting the collected radon through one ormore of the plurality of radon adsorbers, and a plurality of radonstorage units for receiving radon held by the plurality of radonadsorbers for a predetermined period of time.

In accordance with an embodiment, a method is provided for collectingand removing radon from a confined area. The method includes collectingradon from the confined area via at least one collector, connecting eachof a plurality of radon adsorbers to a corresponding power supply,diverting, via a plurality of valves, the collected radon through one ormore of the plurality of radon adsorbers, and receiving, via a pluralityof radon storage units, radon held by the plurality of radon adsorbersfor a predetermined period of time.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided forcollecting and removing radon from a confined area. The method includesincorporating a plurality of radon adsorbers within a structure of theconfined area, negatively biasing the plurality of radon adsorberswithin the structure, and attracting the radon on surfaces of theplurality of radon adsorbers.

In accordance with another embodiment, a wearable article for repellingradon is presented. The wearable article includes an inner protectivelayer having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfaceconfigured to contact a user and an outer protective layer configured tocontact at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner protectivelayer. The outer protective layer repels radon.

It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are described withreference to different subject-matters. In particular, some embodimentsare described with reference to method type claims whereas otherembodiments have been described with reference to apparatus type claims.However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and thefollowing description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition toany combination of features belonging to one type of subject-matter,also any combination between features relating to differentsubject-matters, in particular, between features of the method typeclaims, and features of the apparatus type claims, is considered as tobe described within this document.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof,which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will provide details in the following description ofpreferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a filtration system for collecting and removing radon from aconfined area, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a biased metal mesh to be used in clothing, equipment, andgear, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a metal mesh incorporated in concrete structures and connectedto at least one power supply for adsorbing radon, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a metal mesh incorporated in concrete structures and coatedwith a metal for adsorbing radon, in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a block/flow diagram of an exemplary method for collecting andremoving radon from a confined area, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Throughout the drawings, same or similar reference numerals representthe same or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide methods anddevices for collecting and removing a noble gas from a confined area.The noble gas can be, e.g., radon. Radon is a chemical element withsymbol Rn and atomic number 86. It is a radioactive, colorless,odorless, tasteless noble gas, occurring naturally as a decay product ofradium. Radon's most long-lived isotope, ²²²Rn has a half-life of 3.8days. This isotope of radon is formed as one intermediate step in thenormal radioactive decay chain through which uranium slowly decays intoa stable isotope of lead, ²⁰⁶Pb. Unlike all the other intermediateelements, radon is gaseous and easily inhaled. Thus, naturally-occurringradon is responsible for the majority of public exposure to ionizingradiation. Radon is often the single largest contributor to anindividual's background radiation dose, and is most variable fromlocation to location. Despite its short lifetime, some radon gas fromnatural sources can accumulate to far higher than normal concentrationsin buildings, especially in low areas such as basements and crawl spacesdue to its heavy nature. As radon itself decays, it produces newradioactive isotopes called radon daughters or decay products or radonprogeny. Unlike gaseous radon itself, radon daughters are solids andstick to surfaces, such as dust particles in air. If such contaminateddust is inhaled, these particles can stick to airways of the lung andincrease a risk of developing lung cancer.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide methods anddevices for collecting and removing or sequestering radon. If radon issequestered for a number of days, then radon could be converted to asolid which results in a 10,000 volume reduction.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide methods anddevices for implementing air handling filters for collecting andremoving or sequestering radon from a structure, such as a building. Aseries of biased metal meshes, gas flow collectors, and diverting valvescan be used to divert gas or radon from a building or home by electrodeswhere they are negatively biased to collect the radon (Rn). This enablescollection of Rn as opposed to simply venting it to the outdoors.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide methods anddevices for creating a biased mesh to be incorporated or embedded withinclothing, sports equipment, and first responders' gear to prevent Rnfrom adsorbing to the surface of such wearable articles and/or items.The majority of Radon daughter isotopes have a positive electricalcharge. Thus, devices can be used to repel or attach the daughters basedon their electrical charge. As a result, toxic species are not adheredto outer surfaces of clothing, equipment, and/or gear that would easilybe breathed in immediately after, e.g., a fire. The biased mesh can beused in clothing or equipment or gear related to a number ofrecreational or sports activities, as well as in compression bonds,breathing apparatuses, where the metal mesh is positively biased torepel Rn.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide methods anddevices for implementing metal mesh in concrete structures. For example,metal meshes can be negatively biased, to attract the radon daughters,and can be incorporated or embedded within concrete structures. Rn inthe atmosphere or environment can be adsorbed onto or in proximity tothe metal mesh. The polarization of the metal mesh can be maintainednegatively for weeks, months, or years at a time. The half-life of ²²²Rnis 3.8 days. The decay products are solids. Thus, it is only necessaryto maintain the Rn long enough to allow the decay process to convertradon gas to solid materials that can no longer cause a threat.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide methods anddevices for implementing radon detectors that are made with biasedmeshes to collect and allow Rn to form a solid. After enough time, themeshes could either be sent to a lab to test or measured locally.

It is to be understood that the present invention will be described interms of a given illustrative architecture; however, otherarchitectures, structures, substrate materials and process features andsteps/blocks can be varied within the scope of the present invention. Itshould be noted that certain features cannot be shown in all figures forthe sake of clarity. This is not intended to be interpreted as alimitation of any particular embodiment, or illustration, or scope ofthe claims.

Various illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below.In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementationare described in this specification. It will of course be appreciatedthat in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis invention.

FIG. 1 is a filtration system for collecting and removing radon from aconfined area, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The filtration system 10 includes a plurality of collectors 12, 14, 16.The plurality of collectors 12, 14, 16 are configured to collect radon,from the atmosphere or environment. The filtration system 10 furtherincludes a plurality of diverting valves 20, 22, 24. The filtrationsystem 10 also includes a first metal mesh 40 and a second metal mesh42. The first metal mesh 40 is connected to a first power supply 30 viacables 31 and the second metal mesh 42 is connected to a second powersupply 32 via cables 33. The first metal mesh 40 is connected betweenthe first diverting valve 20 and the second diverting valve 22, whereasthe second metal mesh 42 is connected between the first diverting valve20 and the third diverting valve 24. Radon can flow from the firstdiverting valve 20, via channel 5, to the first metal mesh 40 and radoncan flow from the first diverting valve 20, via channel 7, to the secondmetal mesh 42.

The filtration system 10 also includes a plurality of radon storageunits 50, 52. The storage units can be, e.g., zeolite chambers 50, 52.The first zeolite chamber 50 is connected between the radon collector 14and the second diverting valve 22, whereas the second zeolite chamber 52is connected between the radon collector 16 and the third divertingvalve 24. The zeolite chambers 50, 52 are configured to store radon 11.

The filtration system 10 also includes a main air handler 60 throughwhich air is output 62 without radon since the radon has been eitherattracted to the first and second metal meshes 40, 42 or sequesteredwithin the zeolite chambers 50, 52.

In operation, in a first stage, the diverting valves 20, 22, 24 areconfigured such that air flows through the channel 5. Thus, thecollector 12 collects air with radon and supplies it to the first metalmesh 40 via channel 5. The first metal mesh 40 is biased via the firstpower supply 30. For example, the first metal mesh 40 is negativelybiased in order to collect or attract any radon daughters detectedwithin the air collected by the collector 12. The remainder of the airflows to the main air handler 60 and is output 62.

In operation, in a second stage, the diverting valves 20, 22, 24 areconfigured such that air flows through channel 7. Thus, the collector 12collects air with radon and supplies it to the second metal mesh 42 viachannel 7. The second metal mesh 42 is biased via the second powersupply 32. For example, the second metal mesh 42 is negatively biased inorder to collect or attract any radon daughters detected within the aircollected by the collector 12. The remainder of the air flows to themain air handler 60 and is output 62. In the meantime, the first powersupply 30 is reverse biased (to be regenerated). For example, the firstpower supply 30 is positively biased such that the collected radondaughters is now repelled from the first metal mesh 40. The collector 14causes the repelled radon daughters to travel to the first zeolitechamber 50 where it is stored. The radon daughters 11 travel to thefirst zeolite chamber 50 via channel 15. The radon daughters 11 aresequestered in the first zeolite chamber 50. After all the radondaughters 11 are repelled from the first metal mesh 40 and stored in thefirst zeolite chamber 50, the diverting valves 20, 22, 24 can beconfigured back to their original configuration.

In operation, in a third stage, the diverting valves 20, 22, 24 areconfigured such that air flows back through channel 5 (and air supplythrough channel 7 is cut off). Thus, the collector 12 collects air withradon and supplies it to the first metal mesh 40 via channel 5. Thefirst metal mesh 40 is biased via the first power supply 30. Forexample, the first metal mesh 40 is once again negatively biased(switched back from the positive change in the second stage) in order toone again collect or attract any radon daughters detected within the aircollected by the collector 12. The remainder of the air flows to themain air handler 60 and is output 62.

Of course, it is contemplated that the reverse is true. For example, thefirst stage can involve diverting valves 20, 22, 24 to be configuredsuch that air flows through the channel 7. Thus, the collector 12collects air with radon and supplies it to the second metal mesh 42 viachannel 7. The second metal mesh 42 is biased via the second powersupply 32. For example, the second metal mesh 42 is negatively biased inorder to collect or attract any radon daughters detected within the aircollected by the collector 12. The remainder of the air flows to themain air handler 60 and is output 62.

Thereafter, in the second stage, the diverting valves 20, 22, 24 can beconfigured such that air flows through channel 5. Thus, the collector 12collects air with radon and supplies it to the first metal mesh 40 viachannel 5. The first metal mesh 40 is biased via the first power supply30. For example, the first metal mesh 40 is negatively biased in orderto collect or attract any radon detected within the air collected by thecollector 12. The remainder of the air flows to the main air handler 60and is output 62. In the meantime, the second power supply 32 is reversebiased (to be regenerated). For example, the second power supply 32 ispositively biased such that the collected radon daughters are nowrepelled from the second metal mesh 42. The collector 16 causes therepelled radon daughters to travel to the second zeolite chamber 52where it is stored. The radon daughters 11 travel to the second zeolitechamber 52 via channel 17. The radon daughters 11 are sequestered in thesecond zeolite chamber 52. After all the radon daughters 11 are repelledfrom the second metal mesh 42 and stored in the second zeolite chamber52, the diverting valves 20, 22, 24 can be configured back to theiroriginal configuration.

In one exemplary embodiment, a monitoring system or a detecting devicecan be positioned at the output of the first and second zeolite chambers50, 52 that periodically charge another metal mesh negatively (notshown) to monitor, e.g., alpha particle emissions. In this way, it canbe determined whether the zeolite of the zeolite chambers 50, 52 is fulland needs to be replaced.

In another exemplary embodiment, the radon daughters can be held by themetals meshes 40, 42 or the zeolite chambers 50, 52 for example for 30days (approximately seven ½-lives). The zeolite chambers 50, 52 can bereplaced every 30 days or 60 days or 90 days, etc. One skilled in theart can contemplate a plurality of different scenarios for replacing thezeolite chambers 50, 52. In another exemplary embodiment, the metalmeshes 40, 42 can simply be discarded from this configuration.

FIG. 2 is a biased metal mesh to be used in clothing, equipment, andgear, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

The metal fibers 70 can include a core 72 and a casing 74. The core 72can be constructed from a first metal, whereas the casing 74 can beconstructed from a second metal, where the first and second metals aredifferent. When two conductors are placed together, the electrons arefree to move and cause the stack to come to a same Fermi level. Thisleads to one of the metals being positively biased and the othernegatively biased. Thus, by placing the metal with a lower Fermi levelin the core 72, it leads to the metal on the outer casing 74 to becomepositively biased. The core metal 72 can be, e.g., a variety ofdifferent steel or steel alloys. The casing metal 74 can be, e.g., zinc(Zn). The thickness of the casing 74 can be from about 5 nm to about 100nm.

These metal fibers 70 can be combined to form a metal mesh 70′. Themetal mesh 70′ can be constructed as a fabric as shown in 70″. Thefabric 70″ can be used in clothing or equipment or gear. The equipmentcan be, e.g., recreational equipment or sports equipment or campingequipment. The gear can be, e.g., military gear or first responder gear.Of course, one skilled in the art can contemplate incorporating thebiased mesh into any type of clothing, garments, articles, apparel,outfits, equipment, gear, accessories, fixtures, appliances, machinery,tools, supplies, etc. The biased mesh would prevent radon daughters fromadsorbing to the surface of such items by creating a positive charge viathe casing 74. This is especially important if the equipment or gear isstored for any great length of time.

FIG. 3 is a metal mesh incorporated in concrete structures and connectedto at least one power supply for adsorbing radon daughters, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

The system 80 depicts a concrete structure 82 including a plurality ofrods or shafts 84 (or connecting members) that are interconnected tohold and stabilize the metal mesh 86. At least one power supply 90 canbe connected to the metal mesh 86 via cables 92. When the metal mesh 86is negatively biased by the at least one power supply 90, radondaughters 88 are adsorbed or attracted to the outer surface of theconcrete structure 82. The polarization can be maintained negatively fordays or weeks or months or even years. The radon 88 can be continuouslycollected on the outer surface of the concrete structure where it canbecome solid after a predetermined time period. It is only necessary tomaintain the Rn long enough to allow the decay process to convert thegas to a solid that can no longer cause a threat via inhalation.

FIG. 4 is a metal mesh incorporated in concrete structures and coatedwith a metal for adsorbing radon daughters, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

The system 100 depicts a concrete structure 82 including a plurality ofrods or shafts 84 (or connecting members) that are interconnected tohold and stabilize the metal mesh 86. The metal mesh 86 can be coatedwith a plurality of metal fibers 110, where each metal fiber 110includes a core 112 and a casing 114. The metal mesh 86 can bepermanently negatively biased by the metal fibers 110 coated thereon,and thus radon daughters 88 are adsorbed or attracted to the outersurface of the concrete structure 82. The polarization can be maintainednegatively for days or weeks or months or even years. The radondaughters 88 can be continuously collected on the outer surface of theconcrete structure where it can become solid after a predetermined timeperiod. The core 112 can be constructed from a different variety ofsteel or steel alloys. The casing metal 114 can be, e.g., iron-nickel(NiFe) alloy or nickel-phosphorus (NiP) alloy. The thickness of thecasing 114 can be from about 5 nm to about 100 nm.

In another exemplary embodiment, the metal meshes can be biased by othermeans, such as a battery or capacitor or galvanic couples.

FIG. 5 is a block/flow diagram of an exemplary method for collecting andremoving radon from a confined area, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

At block 202, a plurality of radon adsorbers are incorporated orembedded within a structure of a confined area. The structure can be,e.g., a building.

At block 204, the plurality of radon adsorbers are negatively biasedwithin the structure (via one or more power supplies or by coating theplurality of radon adsorbers with a metal having a core (first metal)and a coating (second metal)).

At block 206, the radon detected within the confined area on surfaces ofthe plurality of radon adsorbers is attracted to the plurality of radonadsorbers.

In summary, radon (Rn) daughters adsorb to negatively biased species,even though it is a neutral species itself. Rn converts to a solidwithin 4 days (half-life of 3.8 days). In one exemplary embodiment,surfaces of metal meshes can be modulated by, e.g., a power supplyconnected thereto, to attract radon and convert it to a solid by holdingit biased for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, thesurfaces of metal meshes can be modulated to attract radon daughters andto concentrate it by reversing the charge of the power supply to havethe radon daughters flow into zeolite chambers (or other metal mesh) forlong-term storage. Once all the radon daughters have been transferred tothe long-term storage units or chambers, the power supply can bereversely connected to the metal mesh so that the metal mesh isnegatively biased to re-collect new Rn by one or more collectors. Inanother exemplary embodiment, metal mesh can be incorporated or embeddedwithin or attached to outer surfaces of clothing or equipment or gearsuch that the surface charge is positive to repel Rn. The metal mesh canbe constructed by cladding a metal so that the core metal pullselectrons within in order to create a positive charge on the outersurface of the mesh. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a radondetector can be constructed such that a small kit that is biased wouldallow collection of radon daughters and its subsequent transformation toa solid. The solid could then be detected with a detector or with aGeiger counter in the field.

It will also be understood that when an element such as a layer, regionor substrate is referred to as being “on” or “over” another element, itcan be directly on the other element or intervening elements can also bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon” or “directly over” another element, there are no interveningelements present. It will also be understood that when an element isreferred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it canbe directly connected or coupled to the other element or interveningelements can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to asbeing “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element,there are no intervening elements present.

The present embodiments can include a design for an integrated circuitchip, which can be created in a graphical computer programming language,and stored in a computer storage medium (such as a disk, tape, physicalhard drive, or virtual hard drive such as in a storage access network).

It should also be understood that material compounds will be describedin terms of listed elements, e.g., SiGe. These compounds includedifferent proportions of the elements within the compound, e.g., SiGeincludes Si_(x)Ge_(1-x) where x is less than or equal to 1, etc. Inaddition, other elements can be included in the compound and stillfunction in accordance with the present embodiments. The compounds withadditional elements will be referred to herein as alloys.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” ofthe present invention, as well as other variations thereof, means that aparticular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment ofthe present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment”, as well any other variations,appearing in various places throughout the specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the following “/”,“and/or”, and “at least one of”, for example, in the cases of “A/B”, “Aand/or B” and “at least one of A and B”, is intended to encompass theselection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of thesecond listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A andB). As a further example, in the cases of “A, B, and/or C” and “at leastone of A, B, and C”, such phrasing is intended to encompass theselection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of thesecond listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listedoption (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listedoptions (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listedoptions (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listedoptions (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and Band C). This can be extended, as readily apparent by one of ordinaryskill in this and related arts, for as many items listed.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when usedherein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components and/or groups thereof.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, can be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s)or feature(s) as illustrated in the FIGS. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the FIGS. For example, if the device in theFIGS. is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein can be interpreted accordingly. In addition, itwill also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being“between” two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers,or one or more intervening layers can also be present.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. canbe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another element. Thus, a first element discussed belowcould be termed a second element without departing from the scope of thepresent concept.

Having described preferred embodiments of a system and method forcollecting and removing radon from the atmosphere, the environment, andor one or more confined areas (which are intended to be illustrative andnot limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be madeby persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It istherefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particularembodiments described which are within the scope of the invention asoutlined by the appended claims. Having thus described aspects of theinvention, with the details and particularity required by the patentlaws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is setforth in the appended claims.

1. A method for collecting and removing radon and radon daughters from aconfined area, the method comprising: incorporating a plurality of radonadsorbers within a structure of the confined area; negatively biasingthe plurality of radon adsorbers within the structure by a metal fibercoating applied thereon; and attracting the radon daughters on surfacesof the plurality of radon adsorbers.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe structure is a building.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thenegative bias is maintained for a predetermined period of time.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the negative bias is maintained for months oryears.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal fiber coatingincludes a steel core or other suitable mesh surrounded by a materialsuch as nickel-iron (NiFe) alloy or any other suitable materials suchthat a fermi level of the materials are lower than that of a corematerial so that a surface of the coating has a negative charge.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the material(s) has a thickness between about5 nm and about 100 nm.